DOCUMENTARY

The Documentary Competition unearths stories from a variety of times and places, ranging from a San Francisco neighborhood to the hills of Laos. These films shed light on trying moments in history, communities celebrating culture and efforts to make life better for future generations.

Arrested at 16 and tried as an adult for kidnapping and robbery, Eddy Zheng served over 20 years in state prison. Ben Wang’s BREATHIN’: THE EDDY ZHENG STORY paints an intimate portrait of Eddy — the prisoner, the immigrant, the son, the activist — on his journey to freedom, rehabilitation and redemption.

Breathin’: The Eddy Zheng Story

DRAWING THE TIGER observes a rural Nepali family over seven years in an immersive tableau of the human experience. Even the filmmakers themselves couldn’t have foreseen how a hopeful story of a teenage girl winning a big city scholarship could lead to the Darnal family eventually being overturned by tragedy.

Drawing the Tiger

Beyond the serene coastlines that have made the Hawaiian Islands famous lies a deeper community connection amongst locals. Artists Estria Miyashiro and John Hina travel to the rural town of Waimea, HI, where they attempt to connect ancient Hawaiian traditions and graffiti with the youth of tomorrow.

Preceded By:

CAAMFest @ OMCA

The Sir George Williams riot of 1969 was one of the most pivotal moments in Canada's history. In her debut feature-length documentary, Mina Shum gives a long-anticipated look at this climactic event in race relations. Filled with first-person recollections, NINTH FLOOR explores when one school protest sparked a monumental movement.

Ninth Floor

When a Hmong businessman rises to prominence in his community, he decides to answer a call-to-action to help the Hmong people fighting for their lives against violent attacks from the communist Laos government. What happens next is a strange tale that is more than meets the eye.

Operation Popcorn

Mission District nail salon owner Van Nguyen tackles the cosmetics industry in this provocative documentary. PAINTED NAILS focuses on workers rights and the little-known implications of getting a mani-pedi in America as it raises awareness of the daily health hazards faced by nail techs on the job.